Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham transfer news: Conte handed definitive update on chances of landing classy Serie A midfielder

Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella

Tottenham’s chances of landing one of Antonio Conte’s top midfield targets looks doomed to failure following an update on the player’s future.

Conte has several targets in mind for the summer, assuming he commits his future to the club, with a new goalkeeper, central defenders and midfielders all on his radar ahead of a potential transfer splurge.

The word splurge is perhaps a little rich when Daniel Levy is involved. However, Spurs are expected to be fairly active in the summer, whoever is at the helm.

Midfield is one area that the Italian feels he needs to strengthen, especially given Yves Bissouma’s struggles this season.

The Mali international was spoken of as one of the captures of the summer after his move from Brighton. However, Bissouma has found life in north London tough all season and is now sidelined for two months through injury.

And while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have performed well at times, there is a bit of a drop-off when either of those are missing.

Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp actually performed pretty well in the Champions League loss in Milan. But Conte wants a world-class performer in his engine room who can dictate games, and that is something currently missing from this Tottenham side.

However, one player who looks highly unlikely to fill that position at Spurs is Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu.

This according to Wednesday’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

They report that the Nerazzurri have now come to a complete agreement on terms for a new deal with the Turkey star and his representatives. And at this stage only the signatures and announcement remain.

Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio recently stated that the San Siro side are getting very close to a positive conclusion to at least one round of contract extension negotiations.

Calhanoglu staying in Milan

According to Tuttosport, Calhanoglu was the player who the Nerazzurri executive was referencing.

The former AC Milan star states that the 29-year-old’s current deal, which runs until June 2024 will be extended by a further two years.

With that in mind, Conte and Spurs are likely to turn to other targets, with the likes of Marcelo Brozovic and Marco Asensio both on their radar.

However, a new keeper and centre-back are currently Conte’s No.1 priorities for next season.

Andre Onana and Yassine Bounou appear to be the top two keeper targets for the club, while there has been an endless stream of central defenders tipped to move to London.

But one name who could be off that list is major January target Piero Hincapie, with Newcastle now reportedly heading the chase for his signature.

Tottenham are back in action on Sunday when they host struggling Chelsea in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Tottenham in dreamland as manager target dismisses Chelsea opportunity and turns attention to north London